Automatic molding-machine



(No Mom.) 3 sheetssheet 1.

J. W. BROWN,J1-. AUTOMATIC MOLDING MACHINE.

No. 567,884. Patented Sept. 15, '1896.

(No Model.) 3` Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. BROWN, J1.

AUTOMATIC MOLDING MACHINE..

No. 587,884. Patented sept. 15, 1898.

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WITNESSES. INVENTOR (No Model.) s sheets-sheen s.

` J. W. BROWN, Jr.

AUTMATIG MOLDING MACHINE.

NO. 567,884. Patented Sept. 15, 1896.

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ma noms persas en. wovaumo., msumumu. n. c,

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ATnNT JOHN VILSON BROWN, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC HOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 567,884, dated September 15, 1896.

Application fled December 22, 1893. Serial No. 494,496. (No model.)

To LZZ wtont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN WILSON BROWN, .I r., a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Automatic Molding- Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

The object of my invention is to so construct an automatic molding-machine, that is, a machine for preparing the mold for casting, in such a manner that the flasks will be filled, packed, and cleaned off ready for removal by the machine itself, my invention: relating to the special construction of the machine by which this object is attained. l1

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved molding-machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. e is a sectional view of the base portion on the line 4 4, Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5 5, Fig. 3.

Ais the base of the machine, upon which is mounted the standard B. This standard eX- tends through the center of the machine and around it the several parts revolve.

B/ is a post, and connecting this post with the standard B is a cross-frame B2, in which is formed the hydraulic cylinder of the press for compressing the sand in the mold.

O is the driving-shaft, having fast and loose pulleys c c', as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This shaft is adapted to suitable hearings in the hase of the machine and is provided with a worm O, meshing with a worm-wheel O2 on the huh of the pawl-arm O3, carrying a pawl c2, engaging with internal teeth c3 on the wormwheel. The object of this construction is to automatically stop the machine at every quary til the pawl is released by the withdrawal of y the rod d. This rod, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, is connected to an arm d of a shaft D, mounted in suitable hearings, and on this shaft is a platform-lever D', having on one arm a platform D2, and a counterbalance- Weight D3 hung to the other arm, so that when the operator steps on the platform to remove the finished mold the lever is depressed sufficiently to throw the rod d out of contact with the pawl c2, allowing it tO engage the teeth of the worm-Wheel O2, and consequently setting the machine in motion; but when the operator steps from the platform to carry the mold away from the machine the weight D3 moves the pin into the path of the pawl, so that when the parts have turned one-quarter of a revolution they will be automatically stopped until the operator again steps upon the platform.

On the shaft C? is a miter-wheel c4, which meshes with a miter-wheel c5 on a Vertical shaft O5, which extends through the standard B. This shaft is mounted in a hearing b at the hase and a hearing in the cap h', secured to the upper end of the standard B.

On the upper end of the shaft is a miterwheel c", meshing with a miter-Wheel c7 on a horizontal shaft C". This shaft operates the sand-valve and the releasing-valve, so that the compression plunger may be elevated clear of the flask. y

On the shaft CL1 is a wipere, which engages with the starwvheel e on a shaft E. The construction of the parts e c is such that when the wipenarm e2 is not operating to move the wheel ef the wheel is locked, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. i

On the hub of the star-wheel e is a miter wheel e3, meshing with a miter-wheel e4, secured to the hub E of the carrying-frame E2. This hub finds its hearing upon the standard B, and between the hub and the hase of the standard are antifriction-rolls b2;

On the carrying-frame are mounted the Several platforms,four in the presentinstance, which support the flasks, so that the frame will be moved through the medium of the star-wheel one-fourth of a revolution, then locked in position, and then moved again onefourth of a revolution, and so on, allowing sufficient time for filling the flask with sand, ramming of the flask, and the removal of the flask from the machine. On each arm of the carrying-fra1ne E2 is mounted a verticallymovable plunger F, carrying at its upper end IOO the pattern-support f and at its lower end the traction-wheel f', adapted to travel upon the cam-rail A', secured to the base of the machine. This rail is of an even height except at one point, which is depressed sufficiently to allow the pattern to clear the mold before the operator removes the mold from the machine, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Secured to each plunger and to the frame are flexible covers f2, which prevent the sand gaining access to the bearings of the plun gers.

Mounted upon each arm of the carryingframe E2 are supports E3 for the strippingplates E4, supporting the flasks, and into each plate passes a pattern-supportf, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, closing the bottom of the flask allowing it to be filled with sand. Pins on the stripping-plate E4 enter openings in the supports E2, preventing` the plate from turning. On each pattern-support are lugs f2, Which project under the plate El and have set-screws by which the plate and head may be alined so that the plate is supported by the head.

Mounted in extensions at the rear of each support is a shaft g, on which is mounted a lever G, carrying the forked arm G', to which is pivoted at g' the false 'lia-sk G2, which rests upon the flask X, so as to allow sufficient sand to be placed in the flask so that when the fiask travels under the compressor and the sand is compressed by the plunger so much of the sand in the false flask will be pressed into the mold as may be necessaryto give the density required, the sand remaining above theflask being removed by the strike-off N.

The lever G is connected to a lever G2, pivoted at g2 to lugs on the under side of the carrying-frame, and on this lever G3 is a traction-wheel g2, bearing against the inner surface of a .rail A2, secured to the base of the machine. The lever G is connected to the lever G2 by a connecting-rod g, having a takeup nut g5.

The rail A2 is a cam-rail and so formed that it will force the false ask G2 down upon the flask X and hold it there until the iiask is filled with sand and the sand compressed, after which it will allow the false flask to be elevated clear of the flask, so that it can be withdrawn and another flask placed in its stead.

Depending from the under side of the carryin g-frame E2 are arms ll, on which are mounted scrapers Zz, connected together by a ring ZL'. These Scrapers travel in a trough A2,

i formed by the base of the machine and the rails A' A2. Into this trough falls the waste sand that escapes from the mold, and the Scrapers carry the sand to a discharge-opening a, Fig. 2, under which is a receptacle a' for receiving the collected sand.

On the hub E' is an inclined hood E5, which overlaps an inclined hood A4, in the present instance forming a part of the casting of the rail A2. A tongue e5 enters a groove c in the hood A, and in this groove is poured sufficient mercury to make a mercury seal, so that the parts under the hood will be completely protected from the sand.

Secured under the base A of the machine is a sheet-iron tank A5, surrounding the gearing on the shaft C4. This tank is secured to the base in the present instance bya clampplate c2, and the joint is oiltight. The joint between the rail A2 and the base is also oil tight.

The driving-shaft C and the rod CZ pass through packing-boxes in the frame A, so that the bottom of the machine can be filled with oil, forming an oiltank. The oil is not only utilized to lubricate the parts of the machine, but is used as the motive fluid for the compression-plunger. The oil is drawn from the base by apump J and forced through the pipe J' into the cylinder B2. The oil is discharged through the pipe J2 into the standard B. In the upper portion of the hub E is an annular groove c6. Extending into this groove is a tongue depending from the cap J 2, and in the groove is sufficient mercury to form a mercury seal. I also form a mercury seal between the cap b' and the miter-wheel c, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

J is an automatic valve by which the oil underpressure is released when a certain pressure is reached, but the valve is also positively operated by a camy' on the shaft C6,acting upon a lever y2, pivoted at 72 and connected to the plunger ,72. On this lever is an adjustable weighty, which returns the lever after being raised by the cam. By adjusting the weight the pressure can be regulated.

Referring now to Fig. 3, K is the plunger for forcing the sand into the mold. This plunger is adapted to the cylinder B2, and is provided at its lower end with 4a fluid cushion K', so that the bottom of the plunger will conform, to a certain degree, to the irregularities of the pattern and to the irregularities of the sand, thus ramming the mold more evenly than if a rigid plunger was used. An extension K2 o f the plunger has a recessed portion Zz, in which rests the pin of a crank 7c', mounted on the shaft CG, so that after the plunger is depressed the crank elevates it clear of the mold. Secured to the lower portion of the cylinder B2 and to the plunger is a flexible cover 7a2, which prevents the sand gaining access to the space between the plunger and the cylinder.

L is the sand-hopper, and in the bottom of this hopper is a sliding valve L", operated by a crank L2 on the shaft CG, through the rod Z, arms Z', shaft L2, and arms Z2, mounted on the shaft L3 en each side of the hopper. These arms are connected to the slide-valve L' by rods Z2. The rods Zand Z3 can be adjusted. As the shaft CG revolves the slidevalve L' is moved to close and open the mouth of the hopper.

The operation of the machineis as follows: The hopper or receptacle L is charged with sand and the patterns are mounted upon the IOO IIO

heads f of the plunger F.l The operator places a flask X upon the stripper-plate E4, standing in front of the machine at W, Fig. l. The machine is set in motion by an operator stepping upon the platform D2, moving the flask under the sand-hopper L. ln the meantime, While the machine is traversing the quarterrevolution the false flask G2 is forced down upon the flask and after the Hask is in position under the sand-hopper the valve is opened,allowing the sand to flow into the false flask and flask. Then the operator steps upon the platform again. Meantime another flask is placed in position and the rst flask passes under the plunger, which compacts the sand around the pattern,forcing the sand out of the false flask G2. As the flask travels from the plunger to the deliveryposition the frame G2 is elevated and the flask passes under a strike-off N, which is secured to a bracket N', mounted on the post B. This strike-off removes any sand that may project above the upper surface of the flask. The operator then steps upon the platform D2and removes the flask, the pattern in the meantime having been depressed so as to be entirely clear of the mold. Thusit will be seen that while the machine itself is automatic in its movements it cannot move from one point to another without the aid of an operator. ln some instances the platform'l)2 may be dispensed with, in which case the machine will be a continuously-operating machine.

l claim as my inventionl. The combination in a molding-machine, of the sand-hopper, the plunger, the intermittently-movable carrying-frame, the pattern-carriers, a rail for elevating said patterncarriers, a false flask, lever mechanism connected to the false flask, and a rail, said rail being so formed as to force the false flask down upon the flask, substantially as described. v

2. The combination of the intermittentlyoperated carrying-frame, the vertically-movable pattern-carriers on said frame, a xed cam-rail for vertically moving said patterncarriers, a false flask also carried by the frame and adapted to be placed upon the flask, a fixed rail for operating said false flask, stargearing between the driven shaft and the carrying-frame and through the medium of which said frame is intermittently rotated, a

fixed sand-hopper, a valve therefor, a plunger, a cylinder beyond the sand -hopper, the plunger of said `cylinder adapted to act upon the sand in the flask, a pump for forcing fluid under pressure into the cylinder and means geared to the driving mechanism of the machine for lifting the plunger, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a molding-machine, of a hydraulic cylinder, a plunger for compressing the sand in the flask, a driven shaft, a crank on said shaft adapted to lift the plunger, a pressure-regulating valve, and a cam on the shaft for positively opening said valve to release the plunger, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in a molding-machine,

of the standard, the carrying-frame, a sandhopper, compression cylinder and plunger, a

yvertical shaft passing through the center of the standard, a horizontal sh aft geared to said vertical shaft, a crank on said horizontal shaft,

-a gate-valve for the hopper connected to the crank, a regulating-valve for the cylinder, a cam on the horizontal shaft for operating said valve, a crank on the shaft engaging with the compression-plunger to lift it after being forced down by hydraulic pressure, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the central standard, the carrying-frame adapted to revolve around said standard, an annular trough in the base of the machine, scrapers mounted on the rotating carrying-frame and adapted to the annular trough, a receiving-box for the waste sand, said trough having an opening above said receiving-box,substantially as described.

6. The combination in a molding-machine, of the central standard, the mold-carrying frame, the sand-hopper and the compressionplunger, with hoods A4 and E5, a mercury seal between said hoods and a mercury seal between the standard and the upper portion of the mold-carrying frame, with a sand-trough into which the sand is directed from the hoods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence 0f two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN WILSON BROWN, JR.

Witnesses:

EDWIN C. FREEMAN, WILLIAM A. BARR.

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